Parkinson’s disease, often associated with older adults, is increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals, according to recent studies.
The rising prevalence of the neurodegenerative disorder, and the challenges in preventing it, were discussed by Yamil Matuk Pérez, a neurologist and specialist in Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, in an interview with La Jornada. He noted that Parkinson’s is “more frequent than it appears” and that, currently, there is no way to prevent its onset.
Most patients are diagnosed without a clear identifiable cause, leading doctors to classify their condition as idiopathic Parkinson’s, Dr. Matuk Pérez explained. “As we don’t know what causes it, it’s tough to prevent Parkinson’s disease today.”
The clinical characteristics of Parkinson’s disease are broadly categorized into motor and non-motor symptoms. Diagnosis relies primarily on the presence of four key motor symptoms: tremor (usually at rest), rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. However, Dr. Matuk Pérez clarified that patients don’t always exhibit all four symptoms. “Sometimes a patient may only have three, and some can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s with just two of these cardinal symptoms.”
Understanding the Origins and Misconceptions Surrounding Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition, meaning it worsens over time. Clinically, the disease involves a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which can lead to tremors and slowed movement. These motor symptoms typically indicate that at least 80% of dopamine neurons have already been lost.
While Parkinson’s is commonly associated with older adults, symptoms can emerge as early as age 21, though they are more frequently observed in individuals over 50 or 60.
Despite common beliefs, Parkinson’s disease is not fatal, according to Dr. Matuk Pérez. “It’s a myth. In fact, when we give a patient a diagnosis, they often experience a profound sense of grief. We demand to dispel this idea. Parkinson’s disease is a condition that can be well-managed with treatment, and with proper care, patients can generally maintain a good quality of life and face the future.”
Over time, pharmacological treatments can have adverse effects and may become less effective. In such cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery can be an option. Dr. Matuk Pérez described DBS as a “very safe surgery with a very low risk of complications, and the benefits are significant, with very low risks.” The procedure is available in both the private sector and public institutions like IMSS and ISSSTE.
Patients eligible for DBS typically take medication five or six times a day, experience complications with their medications, have lived with the disease for more than five years, or are intolerant to Parkinson’s treatments.
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is similarly conducted before surgery. Andrea Uribam, a clinical neuropsychologist, explained that this assessment analyzes “cognitive processes and emotional well-being, identifying symptoms of depression, anxiety, and impulse control disorders. This is important because Parkinson’s disease naturally brings with it symptoms of anxiety and depression.”
Living Well with Parkinson’s
Julissa Chávez, 53, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 49. She became intolerant to medication over time and, after extensive testing, was deemed a candidate for deep brain stimulation surgery.
Ms. Chávez believes the surgery was “the smartest decision I could have made.” She told La Jornada that even the name of the surgery “makes you feel a lot of fear, and many people say it must be horrible—but it isn’t.” She is now very happy with the results. “Today, I don’t take a single medication. And, well, you can see—I don’t look like a Parkinson’s patient. My quality of life has changed radically.” She now leads a normal life, driving her children to school and attending business appointments.
The surgery itself lasted approximately 12 hours, with Ms. Chávez awake for 90% of the procedure. Four medical teams participated in the operation: functional neurosurgeons responsible for placing the electrodes that stimulate deep brain regions; neuroanesthesiologists to maintain appropriate patient conditions; biomedical engineers; and highly specialized neurologists in Parkinson’s disease. During the procedure, surgeons insert electrodes into the brain to generate stimuli that control the disease’s symptoms.
This surgery is performed not only in the private sector but also by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Institute of Neurology, the National Medical Center of the 21st Century, and the November 20th of ISSSTE.
